OCII approves Warriors hotel-and-residential amendments for Chase Center site amid mixed public reaction

The Commission on Community Investment and Infrastructure voted unanimously on May 19 to approve a package of six amendments that allow a hotel-and-residential project on Blocks 29–32 of the Chase Center site in Mission Bay South.

OCII staff described the actions before the Commission as a coordinated set of amendments to the redevelopment plan, the South Owner Participation Agreement (OPA), the Design for Development (D4D) and major-phase and schematic design documents that together permit a hotel with up to 129 rooms in the schematic design (with plan language allowing flexibility up to 230 rooms) and up to 21 residential units. Staff also recommended adoption of an addendum to the 2015 Event Center Final Subsequent Environmental Impact Report and said the environmental review uses a Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) threshold consistent with current state guidance.

"The Warriors have proposed to increase their contribution to this fee by over $1,300,000 by increasing the percentage of gross floor area assessed from 20% to 30%," OCII staff noted while describing an augmented Inclusionary Housing contribution. Staff also described an annual park maintenance fee that will begin to accrue when Bayfront Park opens, which staff said is expected next summer.

The developer team, represented by Peter Bridal of the Golden State Warriors and Eugene Lee of Gensler, presented design and program details: a stepped massing that would begin at about 84 feet near Terry A. Francois Boulevard and rise to a proposed 160 feet on Block 30, 129 hotel keys split into standard rooms and suites, roughly 12,000 square feet of leasable retail and a mix of meeting, ballroom and amenity spaces. Bridal described a construction logistics plan intended to stage work from Warriors Way and to keep Bayfront Park open, saying the team has coordinated to "keep the park open" and to maintain pedestrian flow.

Public comment reflected a mix of support and opposition. Supporters—ranging from nearby residents to business and labor representatives—said the project will create construction and ongoing jobs, benefit local small businesses, and continue commitments to local hiring and contract compliance. Jeanette Rabel Morrow, a resident, said she supported the project but urged attention to public restrooms near new public space. Keith Goldstein of the Potrero Dogpatch Merchants Association said he expected the hotel would bring customers to nearby businesses. Pete Varma, president of the National Association of Minority Contractors, thanked the Warriors and urged approval so the project could generate jobs.

Opponents raised concerns about height, density, and whether fees substitute for on-site affordable housing and open space. One caller, identified as Deborah, said "there are several hotels in the area" and objected to the increase in height and density; another caller, Ralph Hanavi, argued that "160 feet is well beyond what was ever conceived on these blocks, which are capped at 90 feet."

Commissioners asked staff and the project team about outreach during shelter‑in‑place and potential construction impacts. Vice Chair Rosales and the Warriors team said they had conducted one‑on‑one meetings with neighborhood stakeholders since January and would continue outreach. Bridal told commissioners the project team has prepared site logistics plans to limit park impacts and maintain pedestrian access.

Votes at a glance

- Item 5B (adopt CEQA findings for the Mission Bay South amendments): moved by Commissioner Scott, seconded by Vice Chair Rosales; vote 4–0, approved. - Item 5C (report to the Board of Supervisors on the redevelopment plan amendment): moved by Commissioner Scott, seconded by Vice Chair Rosales; vote 4–0, approved. - Item 5D (recommend adoption of the redevelopment plan amendment by the Board of Supervisors): moved by Commissioner Scott, seconded by Vice Chair Rosales; vote 4–0, approved. - Item 5E (conditionally authorize the Seventh Amendment to the South OPA with Fossil MB LLC): motion moved and seconded as recorded in the transcript; vote 4–0, approved. - Item 5F (approve D4D amendment for height and bulk changes): moved by Commissioner Scott, seconded by Vice Chair Rosales; vote 4–0, approved. - Item 5G (conditionally approve amendments to the major-phase application and schematic design to add a mixed-use building): moved by Commissioner Scott, seconded by Vice Chair Rosales; vote 4–0, approved.

What happens next

OCII staff said the Commission's approvals allow the Warriors' schematic design to proceed but noted that several items will require additional review by other agencies: the Board of Supervisors will consider the redevelopment plan amendment, the oversight board will review the OPA, and final mayoral and finance determinations will follow. Staff also said that if the Warriors submit a substantially different BCSD showing a higher hotel range, that resubmittal would return to the Commission for review.

The Commission adjourned at 2:31 p.m.